The ancient and contemporary worlds of Egypt met in movies, children's activities and faculty presentations Saturday as hundreds of community members turned out to attend the UNM Hibben Center's Egyptology Day.
"I think we got what we wanted," said Candace Maher, one of the event's organizers. "I think we showed people that they can do Egyptology."
Mae Araujo, an archeology major and student employee at the Maxwell Museum, dressed as ancient Egyptian queen Nefertiti for the event at the Hibben Center.
"I wanted to attract attention to Egypt, the country and the people," said Araujo, who helped organize the day. "And I wanted to attract attention to the civilization to help us preserve the monuments of Egypt."
Araujo was one of several anthropology and linguistics students who led Egyptology Day activities designed to educate the public, especially children, about both contemporary and ancient Egypt; as well as the science of Egyptology.
"We emphasized children's natural interest in Egypt," said Garth Bawden, director of the Maxwell Museum and UNM anthropology professor. "It's an intro into the realities of Egyptian culture."
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Egyptology Day is part of the museum's outreach events designed to encourage human and cultural understanding and increase connection among all ages and ethnic groups, according to an event press release.
"Egyptians to me are the only time in history where humans achieve perfection," said Araujo, who has studied at the American University in Cairo. "Even with all our technology we still could not build the Great Pyramid of Giza."
The event was co-sponsored by the Alfonso Ortiz Center for Intercultural Studies, which is a new program started by the Department of Anthropology and the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology.
According to the center's literature, it promotes the participation of community scholars, artists, performers, healers and writers at the University through collaborative projects with faculty, museum professionals and students.
A majority of the exhibit was geared toward children, but there were also films which were directed to all ages.
"The films were the best part," said sophomore pre-med student Isaac Burgener.
He said he thought the activities would be fun when he first heard about the event, but felt the age difference when he came.
Mohamed Ali, a lecturer for UNM African American Studies who lived in Egypt and continues to travel there biannually, spoke about the country and its history.
"When anyone talks about Egypt, what comes to mind is ancient Egypt," Ali said. "They do not think that modern Egypt could be interesting."
Although the exhibit mainly focused on ancient Egypt, Ali solely focused on the modern culture and society of Egypt. He encouraged patrons and audience members to read about and study modern Egypt, which was something Araujo wanted to reiterate through the exhibit.
"It helps us bridge the huge gap of misunderstanding that happens all the time," Ali said.
Not only did UNM staff and students turn out to the event, so did several members of the surrounding community.
Eldorado High School freshman Cynthia Halstead said she thought the day was "pretty cool."
"I really want to write my name in hieroglyphics," Halstead said.
Egyptology Day was organized through the Maxwell Museum.
